It didn't hurt me in any way shape or form but a lot of people did have theirs typed. And don't think that it is just your instructors that look at your bio either. I ended up taking another course right after BOTC and the instructor mentioned reading my bio for BOTC during my first div. interview.

Im currently on my Reserve BMQ course in Chilliwack. We got the weekend off so what better way to spend it than go on army.ca and read forums

For my autobiography it was a minimum of 400 words. We had 2 days to complete it but there was really no time so everyone did it during the night. Most of the platoon had to redo it.Tips: - Make sure everyone has their name,SN, date, platoon, and section standardized in the top right corner.

One problem...how do i start my Bio before my BMQ if i dont know what platoon and section im in. I dont swear in till the 16th of this month and i leave the 18th. I suppose i could write it the last 2 days but its cutting it close. do i have to wait till i swear in to recieve that info?

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aesop081

One problem...how do i start my Bio before my BMQ if i dont know what platoon and section im in. I dont swear in till the 16th of this month and i leave the 18th. I suppose i could write it the last 2 days but its cutting it close. do i have to wait till i swear in to recieve that info?

heres a shocking idea......

Why dont you write it now on one piece of paper.....and then re-write it at BMQ on another paper with the required info in the same place as everyone else ?

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mudrecceman

One problem...how do i start my Bio before my BMQ if i dont know what platoon and section im in. I dont swear in till the 16th of this month and i leave the 18th. I suppose i could write it the last 2 days but its cutting it close. do i have to wait till i swear in to recieve that info?

Depending on your Course Staff, you might end up rewriting it when you get there either way.

Assuming you are Reg Force and headed off to CFLRS or one of its Det's.

Depending on your Course Staff, you might end up rewriting it when you get there either way.

Assuming you are Reg Force and headed off to CFLRS or one of its Det's.

What do your Joining Instructions say??

I never got my joining instructions in my package...not sure why. but i found out from another source and got a link to CFLRS Saint Jean from someone. I printed the joining instuctions myself and it really doesn't say...maybe ill just wait for instruction then.

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aesop081

I never got my joining instructions in my package...not sure why. but i found out from another source and got a link to CFLRS Saint Jean from someone. I printed the joining instuctions myself and it really doesn't say...maybe ill just wait for instruction then.

Ok...i will say it in plain language this time......

1- take a sheet of paper2- Write you bio on it3- take sheet to St-Jean4- Arrange the standard layout of bios with staff / fellow candidates5- Transcribe previously written bio as per the agreed standard on new sheet thus saving you having to make it up right then and there when a million other things need your attention

1- take a sheet of paper2- Write you bio on it3- take sheet to St-Jean4- Arrange the standard layout of bios with staff / fellow candidates5- Transcribe previously written bio as per the agreed standard on new sheet thus saving you having to make it up right then and there when a million other things need your attention

Ya thanks i saw it the first time you got your advice across.....twice dont get me wrong i appreciate your advice. just not how you deliver it.

Ya thanks i saw it the first time you got your advice across.....twice dont get me wrong i appreciate your advice. just not how you deliver it.

He delivers it that way because this is really common sense my friend.

Leave ample space on your cover page for the two missing items, and fill it in when you get there.. Not having two pieces of information you know you will get later should not stop you from doing 99.98% of the work requested of you when that work has nothing to do with the two pieces you are missing.

1. When writing your autobiography, make sure you follow those directives to the letter;otherwise you will have to redo it.

a. Use blue ink, 8.5 x 14 inch lined paper only; b. Should be between 300 to 400 words; c. SHALL be written neatly and clearly; d. Use one side of the sheet only and double space between lines; and e. SHALL include a cover page with the following information in the centre.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY Rank, name, initials, service number, and platoon number

a. The autobiography starts on the second page at one inch (2.5 cm) from the top; and b. Write your name, service number and sign your autobiography directly under the last line on the right hand side of the sheet.

2. Family history includes the following: a. First and last name; b. Date of birth, place; c. Parents – father, mother (alive or deceased) – their profession(s); d.Children – how many in your family – which order (oldest, youngest, etc.); and e. Family – your childhood and your life in your family.

6. Sports – Leisure – Social Activities : a. Sports: which sports did you play? Did you participate in team sports? (If so, with which team) and have you ever been a team captain? b. Leisure: what do you do for leisure? (Reading, music, photography, etc.); and c. Social activities: did you ever take part in particular groups (students association, theater troop, music, etc). Have you ever filled a president’s position in those organizations?

7. Reasons you enrolled: Why did you join the Canadian Forces?

8. What are your three trades choices?

Note: We want a document of 1 to 1½ pages long (400 words). Do not forget to sign your biography

« Last Edit: August 11, 2007, 10:08:52 by George Wallace »

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DISCLAIMER: The opinions and arguments of George Wallace posted on this Site are solely those of George Wallace and not the opinion of Army.ca and are posted for information purposes only. Unless so stated, they are reflective of my opinion -- and my opinion only, a right that I enjoy along with every other Canadian citizen.

Reading this thread brings back the exasperation I feel when dealing with recruits, and this past summer PLQ Candidates...

It's a page or two of text about your life, not an exam on quantum physics, sit down start writting, and make sure you hit all the required points.

9 pages of mental anguish about writting something so simple is ludicrous, so what if you have to write it out 2 or 3 times, you aren't going to be getting free time if you all get it bang on the first time, no BMQ/SQ instructor has ever or will ever say "Well we finished early today, lets go to the mess, have a pint and watch the game"

Stop making simple tasks scary and complicated, if writting a couple pages of text is a major issue for you what are you going to do when you're ordered to throw a grenade other than have a coronary?

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"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."-John Stewart Mill

I didn't realize I was being held responsible for 9 pages of text. My comment was merely an observation really, 400 words is incredible brief for somebody trying to cover all those points; but then again that might just be my wordy university-style writing as I am normally used to trying to stretch information to meet length limits. I was in no way complaining or trying to over-complicate this simple task. I wonder how many pages the thread would be if we cut out all the condescending comments and stuck with the Qs and As? Or maybe focused on the fact that Ocdts/recruits are just trying to do the best that they can? Isn't teamwork stressed at basic and in the CF? Aren't the CTs expected to help the green first-timers like myself? I want to live up to the precedent established by those ahead of me, not get condescended to death. We're recruits/ocdts for a reason. We don't understand the ways of the CF yet. Most of us are following a life-long dream and simply want to do our best!

Not looking to start a war here, I've lasted 140-odd posts on this board without getting yelled at/warned/banned... Didn't/Don't mean to offend anybody; just wanted a straight answer.. not to be told how dumb/green/civi I am, these are all things I realize. On the bright side I got it under 400 words! Can't wait to re-write it!

I didn't realize I was being held responsible for 9 pages of text. My comment was merely an observation really, 400 words is incredible brief for somebody trying to cover all those points; but then again that might just be my wordy university-style writing as I am normally used to trying to stretch information to meet length limits. I was in no way complaining or trying to over-complicate this simple task. I wonder how many pages the thread would be if we cut out all the condescending comments and stuck with the Qs and As? Or maybe focused on the fact that Ocdts/recruits are just trying to do the best that they can? Isn't teamwork stressed at basic and in the CF? Aren't the CTs expected to help the green first-timers like myself? I want to live up to the precedent established by those ahead of me, not get condescended to death. We're recruits/ocdts for a reason. We don't understand the ways of the CF yet. Most of us are following a life-long dream and simply want to do our best!

Not looking to start a war here, I've lasted 140-odd posts on this board without getting yelled at/warned/banned... Didn't/Don't mean to offend anybody; just wanted a straight answer.. not to be told how dumb/green/civi I am, these are all things I realize. On the bright side I got it under 400 words! Can't wait to re-write it!

Things we like: brevity.

Things we don't like: unneccesarily long explanations, justifications, or attempted work-arounds to the task at hand. See: whinging.

I remember filling out an application for the RCMP and it was understood that it was to be followed "to the letter" There were curve balls thrown in, in the instructions. Believe you me, a comma in the wrong spot, a certain letter not capitalized etc. meant a complete redo. It was about following directions...a test, if you will. This brings me to the autobiography that must be handed in at BMQ. I'd like to think that it is hand written in almost a story format and not as an itemized list format (like a resume). And then there is that part where "Write your name, service number and sign your autobiography directly under the last line on the right end side of the sheet." *** which last line?*** what is the "right end side of the sheet"?

I just joined this site and would like to say that it has been really helpful to me so far! Good work.

Alright now my question. I am writing the Autobiography that is required to write before arriving to CFLRS Saint Jean Sur Richelieu, Quebec. Everything was good so far following everything as instructed in the welcome package but I came near to the end of my writhing and realized that I am over the 300 to 400 words instructed on the sheet included in the package. Im having a hard time reaching my recruiting center so figured someone could help me here. One thing I know in the army you follow instructions by the letter and all that so I was wondering if it matters if I went over the 400 words I'm in the five hundreds. Anyway thanks in advance for you help! In the mean time I will most likey re-write it to fit the 400 words but was curious about this... Don't mind the typing not paying attention for mistakes on this and oh leaving for BMQ on august 18th! Traffic Tech!

I just joined this site and would like to say that it has been really helpful to me so far! Good work.

Alright now my question. I am writing the Autobiography that is required to write before arriving to CFLRS Saint Jean Sur Richelieu, Quebec. Everything was good so far following everything as instructed in the welcome package but I came near to the end of my writhing and realized that I am over the 300 to 400 words instructed on the sheet included in the package. Im having a hard time reaching my recruiting center so figured someone could help me here. One thing I know in the army you follow instructions by the letter and all that soI was wondering if it matters if I went overthe 400 words I'm in the five hundreds. Anyway thanks in advance for you help! In the mean time I will most likey re-write it to fit the 400 words but was curious about this... Don't mind the typing not paying attention for mistakes on this and oh leaving for BMQ on august 18th! Traffic Tech!

Thannks guys,

If you still believe you have a question....

...then no, it doesn't matter in the slightest; write away. Odds are that your life's accomplishments to date are so awesomely worthy of a multi-volume tome that the Recruit School Sergeant will likely give you a massive hug for adding to his life after having reading it.